Students from Exeter College break out for NSPCC

Over 50 dedicated students set off for destinations across Exeter, the south west and further afield raising funds for NSPCC during the Exeter College Jailbreak 2012 last week.

Contestants dressed as animals, superheroes, film characters and fairies were all trying to travel as far away from the college as possible without spending a penny of their own money. Organised into registered teams and armed with collection buckets, the students from across the college were keen to beat last year’s record destination of London.

“Each year the students choose a charity that we support throughout the year”, said Sarah Davies, Learner Engagement Officer for the college, “and the Jailbreak is just one of the ways the students raise awareness and money. This year they’ve chosen NSPCC and we’re delighted that they’ve raised over £600 from the Jailbreak event that will help support the charity as they work with vulnerable children and young people at risk.”

Many of the groups had spent hours planning their routes and costumes which were designed to create an impact in the city encouraging visitors and shoppers to fill the students’ collections boxes. All the students had gained sponsorship from family, friends and classmates for the worthwhile cause.

Setting off at 9.30am many of the students headed for the train and bus network – all of whom had been prewarned of the charity event. The winning team was a group of students disguised as Men in Black who made it to Portsmouth. Other teams included a group of JRR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings characters who, similar to the film and book characters, had a challenging journey of their own texting messages during the day back to the college such as “Fellowship infiltrating Mordor – making our way back to Barstaple from Appledore” with a final text as they approached the college “Ring destroyed, coming back to Exeter now”

Seeing the students off at the beginning of the event was from Donna Statham from the NSPCC. “ NSPCC is delighted that the college has chosen us to be their charity of the year. It was great to see so many young people taking part in the jail break - they look amazing!”
“It was good to be able to travel to places we hadn’t been to before” said Marcus Savage, 17, from Exmouth, “but a real challenge to travel for free!” “I really enjoyed raising money for the NSPCC” said Charlotte Rupp, 16 from Exeter. Congratulations to the team that got as far as Portsmouth.”